Stay Connected with Donated Smartphones from Dell

Update

Good news! Unlock codes are now available for your
donated Dell smartphones. Simply plug in the code to get your smartphone working on AT&T, T-Mobile,
or many other networks. The phones work on MVNO carriers with a GSM network. That includes AT&T, T-Mobile, and a few others, but not Sprint or Verizon.

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New to TechSoup: 3G Windows Venue Pro smartphones (admin fee: $31) from the Dell donation program. Stay in constant communication with your team by adding smartphones to your nonprofit’s or library’s toolkit. With Venue Pro smartphones in hand, you and your staff can:

Those are some of the obvious benefits. From personal experience, some other handy uses of a smartphone I’ve found often come from the convenience of having the internet right in your hand. You can search for contact information right on your phone (great if you think you’re at the wrong address), and show off your organization’s website to people you meet at conferences and events.

AT&T Service Is Required

These donated Venue Pro phones are only compatible with mobile services from AT&T. In order to use this smartphone, your organization must have AT&T service. You can enable service either via phone or in person at an AT&T store in one of two ways:

Request a pay-as-you-go SIM card. This gives you the flexibility of not being locked into a contract. Two months' of service and an activation fee must be paid for on your first billing, then each month afterward. Pay-as-you go plans can be terminated via phone or in person at an AT&T store with no termination penalties.

Apply the phone to an existing AT&T plan. This is as simple as replacing the phone(s) currently associated to your plan with the Venue Pro. AT&T will need to make this change.

If your organization is activating six or more phones under a group plan, you may be eligible for discounted rates. An AT&T representative can provide more information on rates and eligibility.

Let’s Talk About Apps

When it comes to smartphones, apps are what many people think of first. An "app" is a small piece of software with limited functionality. Apps can be used online (a web app), on mobile devices (a mobile app), or as an add-on to other tools (widgets, plug-ins, templates, and so on).

There are many, many apps that could help you work more effectively on the go. One way to start is to look at the programs you use frequently, like your database or fundraising tools, and see if they have a smartphone app. Organizations can download many free and low-cost mobile apps via the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Head over to TechSoup’s App it Up! Project for lots of great resources for nonprofit and library apps.

Can we use wifi functionality on these phones without having a phone plan? Or without a data plan? We're already using AT&T for our cell phones - and would love to upgrade phones/use apps on our wifi, but can't afford data plans for everyone.

Each of TechSoup’s donor partners establishes its own eligibility criteria and product allotment in order to support organizations that fit their philanthropy guidelines. As mentioned in the Dell program restrictions, eligible organizations can request up to 20 products may be requested within a fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th).